Protran Technology, QinetiQ in partnership

Protran Technology said Tuesday it and QinetiQ North America have partnered to provide the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) with the first real-time network of remote sensors installed on continuous welded rail (CWR) for testing and evaluation.

QinetiQ North America's Intelligence Rail Integrity SystemTM (IRIS) continuously monitors changes in rail temperature, stress and rail neutral temperature. If rail buckling or breaks are detected, IRIS alerts designated personnel to the location of the event via phone or e-mail through its emergency notification system. IRIS can also be used to help prioritize maintenance and establish performance trends of track structure.

Flanders, N.J.-based Protran will provide primary onsite installation and support for MTA.

"The IRIS system is the future in detecting rail buckling or breaks and will play major role in providing advance warning in preventing derailments and other rail related dangers," said Protran Technology Director Peter Bartek.

"We look forward to working with Protran on this opportunity to demonstrate the IRIS system's capabilities with MTA," said QNA Technology Solutions Group President J.D. Crouch. "Rail sensors and advanced warning systems provide transit operators with a more efficient way to monitor rail conditions before they approach critical limits."

Said MTA Director of Rail Operations at MTA Jason Lurz, "The Maryland Transit Administration has been researching technology that would continuously track changes in rail temperature, stress and rail neutral temperature for some time. Protran Technology and QinetiQ have been selected as part of this demonstration project to expand our track monitoring capabilities."

McLean, Va.-based QinetiQ North America is the North American subsidiary of QinetiQ, Farnborough, England.